Union for Reform Judaism / Membership / Resources and Publications
Membership 


The Life Cycle of Synagogue Membership
Reach out to the unaffiliated, welcome and integrate new members and retain members throughout the life-cycle of membership. This resource not only includes diagnostic exercises for the Board of Trustees and your membership committee but also offers programmatic suggestions and best practices. Included is an interactive CD full of membership essentials to be adapted for your own congregation   

Take a look below at our informative brochures that can be ordered and displayed in your congregation.  Additional resources are also listed. Email outreach@urj.org for more information.

 

 

About Judaism  
A straightforward introduction to Judaism, its customs, ceremonies, theology and practices. Chapters include the Sabbath, festivals, life-cycle events, aspects of faith, the Jewish home, and more.
A pamphlet that answers some basic questions and suggests some additional resources.
For those who desire a brief glimpse into the wonders of Judaism--born Jews, Jews by choice, interfaith couples and their families, the wide diversity of seekers—this article gives a brief introduction to Judaism, its belief, its covenant and its traditions from a Reform perspective.
Conversion/Choosing Judaism  
18 little suggestions to invite and support conversion in your Jewish Community.
A pamphlet that answers basic questions about conversion in an easily accessible question and answer format.
This book offers a fresh perspective on the issues that face converts every day: dealing with your non-Jewish and Jewish family, creating your own Jewish community, and looking toward the future in your new Jewish faith.
Compiled and edited by Stephen J. Einstein and Lydia Kukoff
It's not always easy to talk about conversion with someone you care about deeply. This material will offer some sensitive and respectful ways to begin the conversation.
Learn how to implement this 2005 Biennial Initiative in your community.
For those who desire a brief glimpse into the wonders of Judaism--born Jews, Jews by choice, interfaith couples and their families, the wide diversity of seekers—this article gives a brief introduction to Judaism, its belief, its covenant and its traditions from a Reform perspective.
As a parent, sibling, or close friend, you may be wondering how to react to a loved one’s decision to become a Jew. This resource addresses some of those questions.
Interfaith  
Want to create a culture that embraces, supports and encourages Jewish choice for interfaith families in your synagogue? Here are 18+ ways, from easy to advanced, that your congregation can begin and continue.
Designed to help synagogues develop successful entry-level programming for interfaith families, First Steps contains a variety of program models that can be easily adapted to your synagogue or community. The programs designs included here attend to the spiritual and social needs of interfaith families, offering sound advice to congregations seeking to welcome new members.
The face of Judaism in North America isn't "changing"; it has changed. This discussion guide is a great tool for facilitating discussion on diversity issues in your synagogue. It can be used at Board meetings, WRJ or Brotherhood study sessions, membership/Outreach Committee meetings, oneg Shabbat program, adult education classes or Shabbatonim.
In this book, early childhood expert Andrea King tracks the development of two composite families through the life-cycle process and compares how well they manage the challenges that arise at each stage.
A pamphlet that answers some basic questions and suggests some additional resources.
It's not always easy to talk about conversion with someone you care about deeply. This material will offer some sensitive and respectful ways to begin the conversation.
Using a healthy dose of humor and insights gleaned from his own experience, Keen provides couples with practical advice and solutions for how to give children a clear Jewish identity while maintaining a comfort level for both parents. Includes perspectives from professionals who work with interfaith families.
Outreach Families in the Sacred Common is a study which was conducted to understand how interfaith families function as members of Reform congregations and how congregations welcome them.
These are two cutting-edge gateway programs with liberal Jewish content designed to pique the interest of expectant and new parents who wish to understand Jewish rituals and traditions that will help them welcome and introduce their new child to Jewish Life.
Make sure that your religious school has an enrollment policy which addresses the concerns of interfaith families and that expectations are communicated effectively.
This helpful membership tool will enable you to track the reasons why members leave your congregation. This useful information can then be used to address issues in your congration.
Learn how to implement this 2005 Biennial Initiative in your community.
For those who desire a brief glimpse into the wonders of Judaism--born Jews, Jews by choice, interfaith couples and their families, the wide diversity of seekers—this article gives a brief introduction to Judaism, its belief, its covenant and its traditions from a Reform perspective.
A complete guide for those who are organizing and facilitating programs for interfaith couples.
20's and 30's  
Resource guide for congregations that wish to reach out to unaffiliated Jews in their twenties and thirties.
Prepared by the 20s/30s Task Force, this resource includes leadership models, dues structures, programming ideas, and tips for reaching out to 20s & 30s in your congregation.
A brochure for engaging 20s and 30s in activities in your congregation.
Membership  
A first impression can last forever. And in most congregations, a potential congregant's first impression comes from a telephone interaction with a member of the office staff or volunteer. This training guide teaches both new and classic communications techniques and presents a variety of training scenarios.
Resource guide for congregations that wish to reach out to unaffiliated Jews in their twenties and thirties.
This brochure contains specialized sections for small, medium and large congregations with suggestions and practical steps that will help you create a warm and inviting environment that embraces diversity.
Board Membership Workshops-Trained facilitators are available to consult with your congregational boards and membership committees on membership recruitment, integration, and retention issues. These workshops enable temple leaders to ensure that their congregation is welcoming and attractive to the unaffiliated. In addition, these board workshops are geared towards helping your lay leadership cultivate increased involvement and retention among current synagogue members. For more information, contact Ruth Goldberger at (888) 842-8242 or at rgoldberger@urj.org.
Reach out to the unaffiliated, welcome and integrate new members and retain members throughout the life-cycle of membership. This resource not only includes diagnostic exercises for the Board of Trustees and your membership committee but also offers programmatic suggestions and best practices. Included is an interactive CD full of membership essentials to be adapted for your own congregation. Available through the URJ Press at www.urjpress.com or by phone at 888.489.8242.
These are two cutting-edge gateway programs with liberal Jewish content designed to pique the interest of expectant and new parents who wish to understand Jewish rituals and traditions that will help them welcome and introduce their new child to Jewish Life.
A creative Shabbat prayer intended to welcome and invite new members into your community! Intended for use at Shabbat services, this prayer, similar to a traditional wedding ceremony binding new and old synagogue members together in a sacred community covenant, based upon mutual respect, responsibility and love of Judaism and Jewish community. This beautiful and meaningful piece of liturgy is intended to take place every 6 months or annually. All members who have joined in the last year or 6 months are formally invited to join the clergy on the bimah, under your community's Huppah (wedding canopy).
This primer was designed to help your congregation effectively advertise your temple's entry programs in the secular print media, so that you can welcome those who are already looking for you.
This questionnaire has been devised to assist your Board of Trustees, your membership committee or your housing committee to evaluate how welcoming your congregation really is.
This pamphlet is a valuable resource for any membership chair. From the basics of committee structure to tips on recruitment, engagement and retention, you will find great ideas and resources to help in your sacred mission.
Created to examine the value of belonging to a synagogue and to dispel myths about synagogue membership, focusing on the synagogue as a house of worship, a house of assembly, and a house of learning.
Additional Resources  

Outreach and Membership Program Bank
Looking for program ideas? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you are seeking ideas on conversion and choosing Judaism, interfaith couples and families, attracting 20/30s, developing membership or increasing diversity, simply click here for a wealth of resources. Some ideas are available for download in PDF format, while others can be found in our outstanding Idea Book series.

Stay Connected
Our work can only be strengthened by sharing perspectives and resources with other synagogue leaders. Here you will find many ways to network with others.

Outreach Bibliography
Dealing with interfaith issues can be difficult at times. And, finding relevant information and resources to help you through the matter can also be a challenge. Therefore, we have compiled a list of resources that may help you begin the journey for answers.

Archived Outreach & Membership Newsletters
View past issues of the monthly Outreach and Membership Newsletters.

Idea Book Programming Library for Outreach and Membership
An award winning collection of ideas, programs and resources assembled to create comprehensive books on congregational Outreach and Membership programs. Also contains the Idea Book Cross Reference Guide which organizes programs from all our Idea books into topics.

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